Youth Justice Worker

• Youth_Justice_Worker_JD

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

We have a fantastic opportunity available for a Youth Justice Worker to join our Prevention and Youth Justice Service (PYJS) here at Wokingham Borough Council on a part time, fixed term contract.

We have a strong focus on Prevention and the remit of this role is to specifically support the delivery of our reputable Exclusion Prevention Programme. The programme aims at reducing school exclusions linked to offending type of behaviours.

We are a trauma informed service, who work compassionately and restoratively, with a child first guiding principle. We are a small, hands on team, who work creatively with children, listening to them and involving them in shaping our service. We like to learn and develop so we hold workshops and training events every month. We care about our staff by providing development opportunities and promoting a healthy work/life balance.

As a youth justice worker supporting the Exclusion Prevention Programme, you will work one to one with relevant children. You will also have responsibility for delivering workshops in schools to address emerging offending type of behaviours.

Benefits:

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐ A generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days (rising to 33 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays

⭐ Enrolment to an excellent local government pension scheme

⭐ An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

⭐ A range of local & lifestyle discounts

⭐ Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)

⭐ Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes

⭐ And much more!

Key Aspects of the role

• We work with children who are at risk of offending or who have already offended to reduce the chances they will offend again and support them achieve their full potential.
• In your role, you will have to write an assessment of the child and co-produce and intervention plan with them. All your work with the child has to be timely recorded. There is a lot of case management and record keeping is an essential part of our job.
• We have a duty to safeguard our children whilst also protecting the public: safety assessments, safety management and safeguarding and welfare of the children we work with is an essential aspect of our role.
• We work in a multi-agency team and context: we support children as part of a network so you must be good communicating with others to overcome barriers and achieve better outcomes for our children.
• Our role involves adherence to many pieces of legislation, frameworks, and guidance which you will have to learn and become familiar with to be able to deliver your role.

Candidate Requirements

• There is an essential requirement for this role to have aqualification in Social Work, Probation Services or Professional Certificate in Effective Practice (PCEP). Consideration for candidates without qualification will only be on the basis of them being currently employed as a youth justice worker in another service and to have held that post for a minimum of 6 months. For this particular role, candidates with a Teaching Qualification will also be considered, as well as anyone who has current experience of working with children in schools. Candidates that do not meet this essential requirement will not be shortlisted.
• You are knowledgable about the Child First framework, trauma informed approaches. It is also desireable that you have knowledge of relevant criminal youth justice legislation, National Standards for Children in Youth Justice and Youth Justice Board best practice guidance.
• You are familiar with Restorative Justice and the support that victims of crime need.
• You can relate and engage with children and families, who have often experienced trauma.
• You have experience of working with partners to improve outcomes for children.
• You are able to write in an analytical and critical way, interpreting and analysing facts to produce reports and assessments for different audiences.
• You will need to work to tight deadlines, in a fast paced, varied and rapidly changing environment and keep accurate and timely records.
• You will be dynamic, adaptable, resilient and responsive to change to legislation and guidance, the various aspects of your role and children's circumstances.
• You will have the experience of and ability to processing significant amount of written information (i.e. legislation, frameworks).

Due to the requirements of the role, candidates will require a full driving licence and use of vehicle for business use.

Closing Date: Sunday 1st February 2026, 11pm

Shortlist: applicants will be notified if they have been shortlisted on Monday 2nd February 2026.

Interviews: will take place on Thursday 5th February between 9am-5pm ONLY at our office in Wokingham Town Centre. There will be no option for virtual interviews. This will be the only day available for interviews.

Our Area:

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

If you’re interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today!

If you are interested in this role and would like further information or a discussion, please contact: Bea Nigolian bea.nigolian@wokingham.gov.uk

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Whilst this is a fixed term contract appointment, for anyone already employed by Wokingham Borough Council this would be classed as a secondment if successful. Therefore, the usual permission requests for secondments apply and you must speak to your line manager in the first instance before applying.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.